Wednesday, January 18, 2006

So I'll be doing some packaging for 2 classes. For Professional Practices I've chosen to rebrand Robert Mondavi wines. This was to be our 4th project in my Design History class last quarter, but we didn't get to it...and I was pretty bummed. So I'm using that for this class. Should be interesting. Mondavi is into a natural process of winemaking and environmental safety, so I think I may go for a little Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) inspiration and perhaps a completely hand-done look. Big props to Doobz for his suggestion, he was reading my mind.

Secondly, for Advanced Packaging, we were to choose a nationally known brand to rework in a mass-merchandising format; i.e., products of the same brand found in different areas of a store. I'm gonna take a stab at KRAFT foods. First off, the logo is fairly dull. Secondly, they've been around for over a hundred years, generation after generation of families have passed down the name in their homes. How about a nostalgic approach? Kraft is about comfort; about family. Perhaps the packaging could be a celebration of its heritage? We'll see. The hard part for me is actually doing it.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

I've got till Tuesday morning to choose a brand, research and analyze for a packaging project. And I have till Wednesday night to choose another brand to research, analyze, and begin sketching ideas on new packaging for an Advanced Packaging class and I can't think of anything. I'd like to do a wine label, or something for women, or a food that might be better in a bottle. Do you have any ideas! I'll give you 24-36 hours to post.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Today was the big day, and boy was it. Let me just mention two things: 1. Lyndsey noticed it before the nurse did. 2. Ian was not shy at all. Oh, and if you can't figure out the perspective, this is actually looking up from beneath him.

Monday, January 9, 2006

I am so happy to have come across a repeat of INSIDE THE ACTOR'S STUDIO with special Guest Mike Myers. I first saw it in May 2004 and wrote about it on this blog, check the archives. Just great great stuff. Watching Mike and James Lipton riff off each other in and out of his beloved characters is sheer genius.

I also find myself typing up some notes and homework for my classes tomorrow. My 9am is ready, my 7:30pm is not, at least it's not quite organized yet. Both classes, Professional Practices (the business of design) and Type + Image are very serious projects with extremely organized, respected instructors. If I can get these classes right, I can get my projects right. First I have to stop my hands from shaking and get these concepts straight.

Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Well, school has started up once more. Picked up my schedule on Monday and I don't really have too many complaints. Would have liked to added Systems Design, but apparently it's already full and those of us that didn't get it THIS time will get it NEXT time. I'm skeptical, as this is not the first time I've heard this, but next quarter will be my last chance to take everything I want to or have missed. Next quarter, I'd like to have an internship. Next quarter I'll also become a Dad. Choices, choices, choices.

Speaking of choices, I picked up a book before the year ended, "The Paradox of Choice." Been great so far, just tapping into the meat of the book. A sociological look into how the increase of options in our consumer world doesn't make things easier on us. Why more is less. Just thinking about it is overwhelming.

This quarter boils down to this: 4 Classes. Professional Practices, Type & Image (a whopper), Advanced Packaging (Do or DIE), and Internet Design. Hopefully in ID, I can create a site for myself and my work instead of choosing a pre-packaged design as you see here.